Bautista barges into Olivarez Cup JRS finals

MANILA, Philippines - Bettina Bautista pulled off a shock straight-set romp over top seed Tracy Llamas in the quarterfinals then scored a walkover win over Blance Lagrisola to advance to the finals of the girls’ 18-and-under division of the Olivarez Cup 2016 presented by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat yesterday.

The 15-year-old rising star from Immaculate Conception Academy, unranked in a field of 16, dominated Mariel So in the opener, 6-2, 6-1, then sustained her form to surprise Llamas, 6-1, 6-3, before marching into the finals of the premier division of the annual event as Lagrisola, who earlier struggled past Camille So, 6-2, 2-6, 10-3, withdrew due to foot injury.

Second seed Patricia Velez and Jade Capadocia were disputing the other finals berth at presstime.

Velez, a Davao leg champion of the top ranking junior tournament put up by Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez along with Rep. Eric Olivarez and Dr. Pablo Olivarez as part of the family’s long-time commitment to develop the sport and help in the country’s talent-search, also made it to the semis of the 16-U section, along with Bianca Pica, Miles Vitaliano and Melanie Dizon.

Second seed Macie Carlos of NCR toppled Tiffany Nocos to seal a title showdown with unranked Geanlijah Sagandoy, who stunned top seed Vitaliano in the 14-U category of the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and Slazenger as the official ball.

Meanwhile, 64 players vie for four slots in the men’s Open singles while 32 slug it out in the women’s side in today’s (Tuesday) start of the qualifying for the centerpiece event.

In other juniors results, top seed Kryshanna Brazal ripped Julia Ignacio, 6-4, 6-0, to arrange a title duel with Nocos, who upset No. 2 Alexa Milliam, 6-3, 6-2, in the 12-U category while top seed Marc Jarata held off Samuel Nuguit, 6-4, 7-5, and John Velez trounced Luis Salvacion, 6-1, 6-1, in the boys side.